Our Mission

We are intentional advocates for progressive change in New Haven, in Connecticut, and across the country.We fight for candidates and causes that advance equal justice, human dignity, and the empowerment of all people.We embrace students of all backgrounds who want to take action and join an inclusive community of dedicated progressives.

CAMPAIGN

We campaign for candidates who will stand up for progressive values on the local, state, and national levels. In the fall, our “Dems Fellows” will serve as remote interns for state legislative races in competitivedistricts in Virginia and New Jersey. We will travel to Virginia and New Jersey to canvass for both states’ gubernatorial candidates, and spend Monday evenings on campus phone banking for down-ballot Dems.In the past, we have helped elect Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senator Maggie Hassan, and President Obama.

ADVOCACY

Throughout the year, we partner with New Haven nonprofit and activist organizations to advocate for progressive policies in the Elm City. In the spring, we run issue campaigns, work with state legislators, and testify at the State Capitol in Hartford to promote legislation that advances equality and justice for all. Our efforts helped win the repeal of the death penalty in Connecticut and a mandate that all colleges and universities in our state employ affirmative consent policies.

DIALOGUE

Every year, we host elected officials, advocates, operatives, and journalists to promote political dialogue on campus. In the past, we have welcomed Black Lives Matter leader DeRay Mckesson (pictured above), Governor Dan Malloy, Chief Policy Adviser for Hillary for America Jake Sullivan, Senator Chris Murphy, and National Press Secretary for Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign Symone Sanders. We also organize small “policy seminars” with Yale Law and Yale College professors so Yalies can learn more about education, climate, criminal justice, and tax policy.

This publication is sponsored solely by the Yale College Democrats without support or endorsement of Yale University. Yale University does not participate in political campaigns on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office.